Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-02
Gales aud Sketthes.
THE SECRET CHAMBER.
OCTAVE MIRBEAU.
Continued from yesterday. }

2lNcu up ucl Cuilu lOl I'ol. ANOsCls w
lieve, was gratitude expressed in more
enthusiastic terms. They insisted upon
knowing all about me, who | was, where
lived, what did. and all my answers
we're received with transports of joy.
"Yes. Mr. Fearnell," said the mother
to me, you are my child's preserver!
How can ! ever express my gratitude!
We are not rich, and even if we were such
service can not be paid in money. No,
mol Dispose of my husband and myself
as you wish. we are yours in life and
death
| II confess that these ELUSIVE words en-
barrassed me, for my action was but
natural and felt that | had not accom-
plished anything heroic. But the joy of
recovering child one has believed lost
excuses these maternal exaggerations of
sentiment; moreover, the interior of the
house was go clean and tidy, there was
such an air of honesty and happiness
about everything that | could not help
sharing the mothers emotion.
1T will give my husband great pleas
ure," she continued, "to repeat to you
everything have said. He is still at his
office. Mercy! If he only knew! he who
| loves our Lizzie so much! | did not let
him know anything about it. 1t would
have made him ill.,"
| Then she timidly added:
"Mr. Fearnell, alter atfordng US great
! jov. would you accord us a supreme hap.
pness-but fear | dare not ask you
would you join US tomorrow at our mod
est dinner? All! beg you don't refuse.
A scientist like you is coming to see us
and am sure it will give you pleasure to
| talk with him. NV husband will be so
happy, so happy and proud"
! accepted the invitation so cordially ex-
tended and took my leave. Next day
returned to the house. AS you can well
imagine, after the effusions of the mother
was obliged to submit to the equally
enthusiastic greetings of the father
Little Lizzie threw her arm around my
neck and Rugged me again and again
They made me feel as if were one ol
the family. TIE dinner passed off merrily
the scientist whose presence had been an
nounced to me- proved to be a highly
entertaining person; in short | spent a
delightful evening.
The weather had been cloudy all day
and towards evening terrific storm broke
out Peals of thunder followed one
another without interruption; the rain fell
in torrents. Was it the effect of the storm
the suffocating heat or the wines we had
drunk? ANYWAY | telt my head swim
and breathed with difficulty. Neverthe
less desired to 90 home, for it was
getting late and lived great distance
away, but they insisted upon keeping me
1t was madness. they said, to expose my
self. suffering as was, to such a storm.
The mother begged me with such good
grace, that | could not do otherwise than
spend the night in this hospitable house
They escorted me to my room and babe
me goodnight. even remember that
kissed the pale cheeks and the arms OF
little Lizzie who had fallen asleep in he~
fathers lap.
When | found myself alone began to
slowly undress. | was choking in this
room. Before going to bed | wished to
catch a breath of fresh air, and in spite of
the raging storm | tried to open the
window 1t was a false one.
"lIello?' exclaimed in surprise.
"'The idea came to me to raise the trap
door Of the fireplace; ID was false. ran
to the door; the door was locked. now
became frightened, and. holding nv breath,
| listened. All was still in the house Then
| carefully inspected the room. pricking
up my ears at the least suspicious noise.
Near the bed, on the floor. noticed stains
they were blood stains, blood that was dry
and black | shvered with fear, aud an
icy perspratiOn bathed my face. Blood
why bloodP | comprehended that a sea
of blood must have flowed here, for the
floor for a good space around had been
freshly washed and scrubbed.
'Suddenly uttered cry. Under the
bed had seen man lying motioness and
stiff as an overturned statue. With trem-
bling hand ! touched the man he did not
stir. ! seized hold OF his feet and drew
him forth he was dead His throat was
cut from ear to ear and he head was at
tached to the body by IA thin ligament.
81 thought | would 90 mad. Something
though. had to be done. The assassin was
likely to come from one minute to another
| lifted up the corpse to place it on the
bed. A livid head fell back, osclla ed a
few minutes. and then dropped heavily to
the floor. With great difficulty | placed
the decapited body between the sheets
ami picking up the head laid it on the pill
low like that of a sleeping man, end ex
wv gushing thc 'hhutc, Sliuci uIueT tut
bed All this | did mechanically, withou
IA thought of defending myself or seeking
safety. It was instinct which caused me
to do thus, and not intelligence or refec.
ton.
"How many minutes, how many hours
months. years, centuries. | remained thu.
rooted to the ground with horror, cannot
tell. had lost all idea of time and place
Everything was still in the house Only
the roar OF the storm and the whisting OF
the wind outside could be heard. Most
extraordinary thing of all, my mind
could not conjure up the assassin who
was coming, who perhaps was there. In
the horror | was in, saw only little Liz
zie with her sweet face, blonde curls, and
light hat; | saw her sleeping in her faith
er's arms from time to time she SLOWLY
raised her eyelids and uncovered her ewes
which then appeared to me bold, implac.
able, cruel and murderous.
1.-The door was softly opened was
obliged to bite my lips until the blood
came to keep from crying out. A man
now walked about on tiptoe with great
caution SO as not to knock against the fur
niture. The steps came closer and almos,
grazed me. | felt the man bend over the
bed and strike several blows in rapid sue.
cesSiop. Then heard nOthinp moro